|
My research interests focus on smell and chemosensory irritation. At Monell, the primary aim of my work is to determine how the subjective experience from an airborne chemical exposure is related to (1) the sensory and physiological effects that are directly elicited by the chemical and (2) the psychological processes involved in perception, memory and judgment that can indirectly mediate health effects from chemical exposures.
This research may lead
to a better understanding of the interaction between cognitive beliefs,
expectancies and physiological responses to odors and irritants by
studying those of asthmatics, for whom there is both greater perceived
and actual health risk from chemical exposure.
I am also interested
in the impact of occupational exposure to chemical
and particulates on chemosensory function. This research, based on
psychophysical
(detection thresholds) and physiological (nasal inflammatory
changes) measurements, may provide information about the prevalence
and mechanisms
underlying chemical-induced olfactory dysfunction in
humans.
My Monell Publications |